In today’s interconnected global economy, countries around the world have varying legal standards when it comes to working hours and employee rights. With some nations mandating maximum hour restrictions and others allowing employers to set more demanding schedules, there is considerable disparity worldwide in how many hours per week the average worker puts in on the job.
When evaluating which countries have the longest average work weeks, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Official legal limits on working hours per week
- Cultural norms and expectations around workplace productivity
- Prevalence of unpaid overtime work
- Paid vacation time guarantees
- Employment rates and economic factors
By exploring the data around these elements, we can identify the countries that have the highest number of average weekly work hours. While long work weeks do not inherently mean higher productivity, they do shed light on workplace dynamics across different nations.
Countries with the Longest Average Work Weeks
Among OECD countries around the world, Mexico, Costa Rica, and South Korea have the longest average work weeks. Employees in these countries clock in far more than the standard 40 hour weeks common in nations like the United States and the United Kingdom. Here’s an overview of the countries with the highest number of average weekly work hours:
| Country | Average Weekly Work Hours |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 48.5 |
| Costa Rica | 48.3 |
| South Korea | 44.6 |
| Chile | 44.4 |
| Israel | 43.9 |
| Iceland | 43.3 |
| New Zealand | 42.7 |
| Latvia | 41.8 |
| Poland | 40.9 |
| Estonia | 40.8 |
As illustrated above, Mexico holds the top spot for longest work hours, with full-time employees clocking an average of 48.5 hours per week. This far exceeds the 40 hour weeks standard in countries like Canada and Sweden.
Mexico’s Long Hours
In Mexico, the maximum number of working hours allowed per week is 48 hours, with some exceptions that enable longer schedules in certain industries. The Mexican Labor Law does guarantee double pay for any hours worked above the 48 hour weekly limit.
However, Mexico has a considerably higher percentage of employees working more than 50 hours per week compared to other OECD countries. Studies suggest this is due to:
- Flexible labor laws that enable longer work weeks
- A cultural emphasis on workplace presence and facetime
- Desire to boost productivity and earnings by putting in extra hours
With almost 30% of employees working more than 50 hours, Mexico’s long average work week appears deeply embedded in the nation’s workplace culture.
South Korea’s Workplace Pressures
South Korea likewise has a culture that tends to encourage long working hours and presenteeism at the office. Despite having a maximum legal work week of 52 hours, South Koreans put in an average of 44.6 hours, with about 15% working more than 50 per week.
Factors driving South Korea’s long hours include:
- Cultural emphasis on workplace dedication and sacrifice
- Efforts to boost productivity and economic growth
- Fierce competition for jobs and advancement
- Employer expectations of overtime and weekend work
Younger generations in South Korea have started pushing back against these ingrained cultural norms, desiring better work-life balance. But South Korea’s reputation as one of the hardest working countries persists.
Which Countries Have the Shortest Working Hours?
On the opposite end of the spectrum, many Scandinavian and European nations boast the shortest average work weeks. Countries like Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands all average under 40 hours per week for full-time employees.
In general, the countries with shorter working hours guarantee more vacation time for employees, have maximum work week restrictions, and place higher cultural value on leisure time and work-life balance. Here are the OECD nations with the lowest average weekly work hours:
| Country | Average Weekly Work Hours |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | 29.5 |
| Denmark | 32.3 |
| Norway | 33.8 |
| Belgium | 35.1 |
| Sweden | 36.2 |
| Finland | 36.8 |
| France | 37.6 |
| Italy | 37.7 |
| Germany | 38.2 |
The Netherlands has the fewest average weekly hours at just 29.5 for full-time workers. This is attributed to both a cultural emphasis on work-life balance and laws restricting work hours.
Netherlands’ Part-Time Culture
Unlike nations that emphasize overtime and maximizing earning potential through long hours, the Netherlands actively promotes part-time work opportunities. More than half of the labor force works fewer than 35 hours per week by choice.
Factors that contribute to the Netherlands’ short average work week include:
- Strong part-time labor force (especially women)
- Work week legally set at a maximum of 40 hours
- Substantial vacation time off guarantees
- Focus on productivity over facetime at work
- Cultural value on personal time and work-life balance
For most employees in the Netherlands, spending time on hobbies, family, and leisure activities is prioritized over putting in extra hours at the workplace.
How do U.S. Working Hours Compare Globally?
Compared to other developed countries, the United States tends to have longer average working hours but not nearly as long as Mexico or South Korea. Here’s how U.S. working hours stack up:
- Average weekly hours for full-time workers: 47 hours
- Percentage working more than 50 hours per week: 18%
- Average number of vacation days per year: 10 to 15 days
While not as extreme as some other nations, American work culture tends to emphasize long hours, availability outside standard work times, and using vacation days frugally. U.S. labor laws generally support employers being able to mandate longer schedules.
However, the rising millennial and Gen Z workforce is pushing for better work-life balance and shifting cultural attitudes toward always being “on call”. The trend toward remote work is also giving employees greater flexibility and autonomy over their schedules.
Key Takeaways
When assessing average weekly work hours across different countries, a few key themes emerge:
- Mexico, South Korea, and Costa Rica have the longest average work weeks among OECD nations.
- The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have the shortest average weekly work hours.
- Long hour cultures emphasize facetime at work, productivity, and earning potential.
- Short hour cultures prioritize work-life balance, vacation time, and limiting burnout.
- The U.S. falls somewhere in the middle with moderately long but not excessive working hours.
While technology continues to shape and change how we work, striking a healthy balance between dedicated work and personal time remains an important consideration for individual health, happiness, and workplace productivity.
Conclusion
When looking across the international landscape, Mexican, South Korean, and Costa Rican workers put in the longest hours on average among OECD nations. In contrast, countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium boast the shortest average work weeks. The United States falls somewhere in between, with moderately long but not extreme work hours.
The data illustrates how both legal standards and cultural values inform workplace norms surrounding productivity, facetime at the office, and work-life balance. As younger generations increasingly prioritize flexibility and leisure time across the globe, striking a sustainable balance between work and personal life will remain an important consideration for workers and employers alike.